I think there are quite a few. Robbie Rodgers has done and he currently plays in the MLS for LA Galaxy.

Well done to this Michael Sam for doing what he has done. I've not heard of him but I applaud his courage for coming out, especially in such a volatile environment (by that I mean sport in general). The world has thankfully become less homophobic with a once majority now becoming the miniscule minority in terms of those people who are homophobic. Hopefully, it encourages more sports men and women to do the same and feel comfortable in doing so.

I think there was a US footballer or a hockey player who came out in close season then didnt get picked for anyone the next so retired (might have been ancient and that's why he didnt get a club, not sure)

Orders for Michael Sam jerseys are ranking squarely with some of the NFL draft's biggest names, including defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater.

Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of communications, reports via Twitter that those five players lead the early demand among rookies. The rankings were tracked from sales at nflshop.com.

Added NFL PR's Joanna Hunter: "It is unprecedented for a Day 3 draft pick to be one of the top five rookies sold during draft weekend."

Manziel's jersey is atop the list, followed by Sam's, then those of Clowney, Bridgewater and Bortles. It's no doubt the first time a seventh-round draft choice has, at least initially, outsold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, not to mention three first-round quarterbacks. But as the NFL's first openly gay draft choice, Sam's pro career is set to create firsts of all kinds. The next goal for Sam: Become the NFL's first openly gay player to make a 53-man roster.

Not naive mate, Texas is still part of the "bible belt" that is mahoosively anti-gay but pro-football ... suppose if he's good enough they'll turn a blind eye but if hes not he'll not hear the end of it